August 06, 2009

God Things

How many God things can I recall from the crisis our family has faced these last four weeks? I don't even know them all. But here are some random thoughts:

Barb (our daughter in law) was awake and alert after being run over by a truck while riding her bicycle on Ocean Drive in Corpus Christi on July 11. She told police who her husband was and gave them his phone number, despite being crushed and broken from her hips to shoulder blades.

Sometime after the accident a trauma nurse at Brooke Army Medical Hospital (San Antonio) told Van he didn't think she had a chance when brought in. God had other plans.

Through a series of events Van Jr. met the orthopedic radiologist on Barb's case. He showed Van all the xrays and commented that with her type of accident and with the fact that both shoulder blades were broken, normally the victim does not survive. But God was there.

The children were allowed to visit Barb in the hospital, except 9-year-old Hannah. She was too young. But on a Saturday they came back and the ICU crew slipped her in to see her mom. God is good.

While we were tending the five grandchildren Van Jr. took Sarah, 12, to a school open house. Hannah wanted to go too -- desperately. But we didn't allow it. Needless to say she was bummed. She wouldn't speak to us. Thirty minutes after her dad and Sarah left the phone rang. It was Barb calling to speak to Hannah. It gave me an opportunity later to talk to her about the sovereignty of God. You might think "sovereignty of God," 9 year old, Chinese, English speaking less than a year, but let me tell you this girl is smart. She may not have sovereignty down pat, but I guarantee you she remembers the word. A God thing? You bet!

Daniel, 14, failed his football physical because of blood pressure of 160 over 80. We thought the problem was the Monster drink he had that morning, but after withdrawal he flunked again two days later. I asked him how he was doing with his mom's accident, on a scale of 1 to 10. About a 7, he said. We talked. God was part of the discussion. He processed. Blood pressure dropped immediately to normal range and he passed his physical.

I'm glad the atmosphere at 234 Bayridge Dr. in Corpus Christi is permeated with the sovereignty and grace of God. It gives me confidence.